Definition

1. Noun:

   • A grinding tooth with a broad crown; located behind the premolars: A molar is a large tooth at the back of the mouth, used for crushing and grinding food.

2. Adjective:

   • Of or pertaining to the grinding teeth in the back of a mammal's mouth: Relating to the molars.
   • Pertaining to large units of behavior: In psychology, describing complex, integrated behaviors as opposed to simple, elemental ones.
   • Containing one mole of a substance: In chemistry, relating to a quantity containing one mole (a specific number of molecules or atoms).
   • Designating a solution containing one mole of solute per liter of solution: In chemistry, describing the concentration of a solution.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The dentist said I have a cavity in my lower left molar.
  • Humans typically have twelve molars, including the wisdom teeth.

• Adjective (Dental):

  • Molar teeth are essential for proper digestion.
  • The patient experienced pain in the molar region.

• Adjective (Psychology):

  • The study focused on molar aspects of social interaction rather than isolated reflexes.

• Adjective (Chemistry):

  • The molar mass of water is approximately 18 grams per mole.
  • We prepared a one molar solution of sodium chloride.

Advanced Usage

• Molar concentration (M): A unit of concentration in chemistry, defined as the number of moles of solute per liter of solution.

  • The experiment requires a 0.5 molar solution of acid.

• Molar behavior: In behavioral psychology, a large-scale, goal-directed pattern of activity.

  • The psychologist analyzed the child's molar behavior during playtime.

Variants and Related Words

• Molarity (n): In chemistry, the concentration of a solution expressed in moles of solute per liter of solution.

  • The molarity of the solution was carefully calculated.

• Molariform (adj): Having a shape resembling a molar tooth.

  • Some ancient reptiles had molariform teeth for processing plant matter.

Synonyms

• Noun: Grinder, back tooth.
• Adjective (Chemistry): Gram-molecular (in specific historical contexts).

Related Phrases

• Molar volume: The volume occupied by one mole of a substance.

  • At standard temperature and pressure, the molar volume of an ideal gas is 22.4 liters.

• Molar extinction coefficient: A measure of how strongly a chemical species absorbs light at a given wavelength.

  • The compound's high molar extinction coefficient makes it useful in spectroscopy.

Adjective

1. pertaining to large units of behavior
   • such molar problems of personality as the ego functions--R.R. Hunt
2. containing one mole of a substance
   • molar weight
3. designating a solution containing one mole of solute per liter of solution
4. of or pertaining to the grinding teeth in the back of a mammal's mouth
   • molar teeth

Noun

1. grinding tooth with a broad crown; located behind the premolars